November 2009

Even, perhaps especially, in an economic downturn, people are trying to make a living in the real estate market. “Flipping” houses used to be a great way to make a little cash, but not now. Many are now looking at long-term cash prospects, such as renting property, and Santa Cruz foreclosures seem to be a good start. But are they? Let’s take a look.

Finding a good rental property isn’t easy. It’s not like shopping; you can’t go into a real estate store and grab the first house off the rack that looks good on you. It’s a process of investigating, gaining knowledge and being realistic. This is especially true when looking at Santa Cruz foreclosures.

Homeowners who suffered foreclosure were unable to pay the mortgage. We all know that. What people

July saw the largest increase in home sales in at least ten years, which brings hope for all the homes for sale in Santa Cruz. What’s the culprit for this more-than-expected rise? The first-time buyers tax credit!

The $8,000 tax credit first time buyers are eligible for expires November 30, 2009. Buyers that otherwise may have stood on the side lines are rushing to find the home of their dreams in time for the closing to happen before the deadline. Thanks to that deadline, one out of three homes for sale are getting that coveted “Sold” sign.

So why should buyers beware?

If you’re holding off for a better time to buy one of the homes for sale in Santa Cruz, you might never see it! Mortgage interest rates are at a historical low; housing prices are

If you’ve ever sold one of the Santa Cruz homes, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” more times than you care to count from your real estate agent. Well, it’s time to hear it again, but maybe in a way you hadn’t considered.

With curb appeal, you might think of cutting your lawn, trimming bushes and getting rid of weeds. Have you considered that creating a beautiful landscape for your home can add resale value? Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Planting Frenzy

A beautiful landscape adds increasing value over time. That doesn’t mean you go on a planting frenzy, however. As a landscaping do-it-yourselfer, you don’t want buy a whole bunch of plants and throw them in the ground. You need to purchase the type of plants that will give

If you think Santa Cruz homes are in style, you just might want to look around. The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more. Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.

Smaller homes – Mansions are out and, believe it or not, matchbox houses are in. Some buyers want downright tiny homes, and are even willing to build their own to get it. If you own one of the Santa Cruz homes with a lot of square footage and want to sell, you might start counting. How many of those rooms do you really need? Can you knock out a wall to create larger, more open spaces?

By now, everyone has heard, and understands, the term “down market.” It sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, with the help of your Santa Cruz real estate agent, you can take advantage of the many wonderful bargains to be had. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

#1. Do Your Research

Right now, you have a great advantage as a buyer. Housing prices are generally lower and sellers or normally more willing to negotiate. In addition, there are tons of listings available, so you aren’t stuck with only two or three choices. This is where your Santa Cruz real estate agent comes in.

Once you know the area you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the price range in the area. Knowing what the expensive, median and low prices are can